Method of mounting stones in jewelry



June 12, 1956 w. Fus .2,749,597

METHOD OF MOUNTING STONES IN JEWELRY Filed Fe-b. 2, 1955 .BY im .P

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United States Patent O METHOD F MOUNTING STONES IN JEWELRY Walter Fus, Newark, N. J.

Application February 2, 1953, Serial No. 334,538

3 Claims. (Cl. 2910) My invention relates generally to methods for mounting stones in jewelry, and specically to the mounting of stones in jewelry that may be carried out by unskilled operatives.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a method for mounting stones in jewelry which may be carried on by one relatively unskilled in the mounting of stones', who is able to produce a jewelled object of workmanship such as may be expected from a highly skilled workman.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a method for mounting stones in jewelry in which the jewels are disposed in a channel in edge to edge relationship with each other and yet are prevented from sliding or shifting in the mounting and are maintained permanently locked in place.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a method for mounting stones in jewelry that does not require the individual securing of each stone to be mounted, that permits the mounting of the stones to be carried out by one relatively unskilled in the techniques and practices of mounting stones.

It is another object of my invention to provide a method for mounting stones in jewelry that will produce a jewelled object with a high degree of excellence and durability.

It is yet another object of my invention to provide a method for mounting stones in jewelry that presents a groove into which the stones may be easily inserted prior to being permanently positioned.

It is another-object of my invention to provide a method for mounting stones in jewelry that substantially reduces the cost of the end product, that is relatively simple and easy to perform, and produces an end product which is durable, attractive and long-wearing.

These objects and advantages, as well as other objects and advantages, may be achieved by the method illustrated in the drawings in which;

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a pair of rings secured together at one point preparatory to receiving the stones;

Figure 2 is a top view of the rings shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a top view of the rings shown in Figure 2 with part of the top ring exploded away to show the connective cross-member;

Figure 4 is a side view of the rings shown in Figure 1 with the upper and lower rings shown by the dotted line in deformed position;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1 showing the channels;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to the view in Figure 6 but with a stone mounted in the channels;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8 8 in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9 in Figure 7;

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Figure 10 is a top view of a cross prepared for the application of my method for mounting stones;

Figure 11 is a side view of the cross shown in Figure l0;

Figure 12 is a partial top view of the cross shown in Figure 10 with stones mounted therein; and

Figure 13 is a side view of a completed ring.

In the conventional setting of stones in rings, individual pockets are provided for each stone and the stones are secured therein by deforming a part of the mounting.

My method contemplates the positioning of a pair of rings (or other members) with opposed channels which are adapted to receive many stones. These rings are secured together resiliently by a cross-member or members. When the stones have been inserted in the channels, the members are rigidly secured together by a plurality of cross-members; then pressure is applied to peen-over the edge of the rings adjacent to the stones. When this is done, the stones are securely held in the mounting or setting and it is burnished.

Referring now to the drawings in detail; in the practice of my method, I may take a pair of rings, an upper ring 11 and a lower ring 12. These rings are connected t0- gether by a cross-member 13. This cross-member 13 may be solid in form and attached to the upper and lower rings 11, 12 by solder or it may be tubular in form and loaded with solder 14. When heat is applied to the crossmember 13, then the solder melts and secures the crossmember to the upper and lower rings 11, 12. Each of these rings is provided with a groove or channel 15 positioned immediately adjacent to the outer edge. The walls of this channel are disposed in non-perpendicular relationship to each other and taper inwardly in such a manner as to be adapted to receive the edge of a jewel or stone to be mounted in the ring. The rings 11, 12 are slightly deformable as shown in Figure 4 and in this manner, a plurality of stones 16 may be inserted in the opposing channels 15 until the channels are completely filled with stones. When the channels 15 are completely filled with stones, it is desirable to remove the deformability of the rings 11, 12 so that the stones may not be discharged from the channels. This' is done by taking a plurality of cross-members 13 and disposing them between the rings 11, 12. Solder is applied to the ends of these cross-members so that they are secured in place or the cross-members may be made tubular in form and loaded with or charged with solder 14. Heat is then applied to the cross-member until the solder melts and secures the cross-member as a bridge between the upper and lower rings 11, 12. When the cross-members have been aliixed and attached to the yupper and lower rings 11, 12 completely around the entire circle, then the rings are secured together in a non-resilient fashion and the stones 16 are lirmly held in place. It is preferred that the crossmembers 13 be disposed close between adjacent stones. Pressure may then be applied to the outer edges 17 of the rings 11, 12 immediately adjacent to the channels where the stones are seated. The edges 17 of the rings are lightly deformed or peened-over to firmly secure the stones in position in the channel. The rough places on the rings may thereupon be polished and the entire ring burnished until it has the finished bright appearance of an article of fine jewelry.

This technique may be easily practiced by unskilled workmen, such as are usually not capable of the jewelry craft. The product is of equal attractiveness to similar items produced by conventional methods, and has much greater durability. The same method or procedure may be applied to other articles of jewelry, such as tie-clasps, cuff-links, crosses and the like. The only requirement for carrying out this method in the formulation of jewelry is that there be presented opposed channels on members having open ends or on members which are readily deformable or slightly resilient. For example, Figures 10, 11 and 12 show a cross 18 formed with open ends 19; in Figure 11, the channels 20 adjacent to the open end may be observed. Figure 12 shows the stones 21 set in the channels by my method except the central stone 22, which must be set by conventional methods. The crossmembers 23 are then applied as in the ring structure previously detailed.

It is possible to substitute an equivalent structure for the channels 15, 20. A flange or flanges could be formed on which the stones 16, 21 could rest, until the crossmembers 13, 23, are applied to tix the stones in place.

An alternative method within the scope of the claims is: to position a pair of channeled members in opposition by holding them between fingers, or in some mechanical holding device or medium (such as wax), and then inserting the stones. Thereupon, the cross-members may be attached.

The detailed method and technique is deemed to be merely illustrative of a method for performing the procef dure which I have invented as to mounting stones in jewelry. Many changes may be made therein and in the performance of the various steps in the procedure, all within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A method of mounting stones in a ring comprising securing annular, resilient, channeled members together in parallelism with each other with the channels opposite each other, deforming the members, positioning a plurality of stones between the members with the opposite edges of the stones seated in the channels, attaching crossmembers between the annular members in abutting relation to the stones whereby the said annular members are rigidly secured together.

2. A method of mounting stones comprising forming a mounting with the pair of resilient, channeled members disposed in parallelism and the channels opposed, said members being joined together at one portion and open at the other portion, inserting a plurality of stones into the channels from the open portion, attaching a cross-member to the opposing parallel surfaces.

3. A method of mounting stones comprising joining together a pair of spaced parallel, channeled members, said members being joined together at one portion and open at the other portion, inserting a plurality of stones into the channels from the open portion with their opposite side edges seated in the channels, attaching a crossmember across the parallel members in abutting relation with the stones.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,146,543 Abel July 13, 1915 1,799,187 Wander Apr. 7, 1931 1,941,684 Hiller Jan. 2, 1934 2,332,344 Roskin Oct. 19, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 261,703 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1949 530,325 Germany July 27, 1931 576,493 France Aug. 21, 1924 

